Gov't recommends 33 months incarceration for Beard

Thursday

Jan 11, 2018 at 4:51 PM

The U.S. government is recommending Kirksville businessman Burt Beard be sentenced to 33 months incarceration and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to bank fraud, according to documents filed Thursday in U.S. District Court.

Beard, one of the owners of Beard’s Decorating Center, pleaded guilty in September to one count of bank fraud after defrauding a University of Missouri fraternity of nearly $400,000.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 22 in Jefferson City. Beard faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine up to $1 million, an order of restitution and supervised release.

He will be sentenced by District Judge Stephen R. Bough.

From March 2008 to Aug. 2014, Beard served as volunteer treasurer for Sigma Alpha Epsilon and wrote himself in excess of 150 checks, defrauding the fraternity of over $380,000. The activity surfaced when SAE elected a new slate of officers in the fall of 2014 and financial responsibilities were transferred to a new treasurer.

According to the sentencing memorandum filed Thursday, the government took a number of factors into account in determining the recommended sentencing range.

“Beard has no criminal history,” the documents state. “However, the current offense took place over at least seven years, which was as far back of an inquiry as the bank records allowed.

“Additionally, Beard’s personal history and characteristics do not support any mitigating factors.

“The Government believes that a sentence of 33 months will deter Beard from embezzlement or theft in the future.”

The government recommends Beard not be ordered to pay a fine, instead directing his financial resources toward restitution.

After pleading guilty in September, Beard provided the following statement to the Daily Express:

“I very much regret my conduct and accept responsibility for my conduct. This was a personal mistake that in no way involved our family business, Beard’s Decorating Center, or Kirksville or Adair County. I hope and pray that this unfortunate action will not undermine the century-long service that the Beard family has provided northeast Missouri. As a family, we have already received an unbelievable amount of love and support, and for that we are truly blessed and appreciative.”

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